FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva, Peru’s First Lady and Special Ambassador for the International Year of Quinoa, Nadine Heredia , and Bolivian Minister of Rural Development and Lands, Nemecia Achacollo have participated today in a symbolic quinoa harvest in FAO headquarters. The harvest was by hand, as has been done for centuries in the Andean region.

FAO Director-General has asked private sector to support anti-crisis hunger trust in a private sector partnerships meeting held today. The fund will allow private sector companies to financially contribute to the organization's work and support FAO projects and programmes.

As many as 4 million people in rural areas of Madagascar are food insecure following this year’s reduced harvest. Production of rice – the Indian Ocean island’s staple – and maize has been badly hit by erratic weather and a locust invasion. A further 9.6 million people are at risk of food insecurity, say two United Nations agencies.